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Physician Assistant M.S.

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Prepare for a career providing exceptional, compassionate healthcare. Through practice-based training, you'll develop the skills needed to work on healthcare teams in diverse settings, including primary care and family medicine, emergency medicine, surgery, psychiatry and sub-specialty areas.

Program description

Northwestern College’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) is a faith-based 27-month graduate program that provides training for students seeking certification and licensure as a physician assistant (PA). Students must successfully complete 116 graduate credits over 7 consecutive academic terms, including 4 terms of face-to-face training followed by 3 terms of clinical rotations with concurrent online courses designed to facilitate the integration of classroom material with clinical experiences.

Northwestern's graduate school plans to accept 32 students per year and will give preference in the application process to graduates of Northwestern College provided they meet all admissions requirements. The PA program builds on the exceptional reputation of Northwestern College’s established biology, nursing and athletic training programs to prepare graduates to serve all patients with exceptional, individualized care.

PA program goals

Exceptional training. To prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into practice as a physician assistant

Faith integration. To integrate biblical teaching into the medical curriculum so graduates are prepared to serve faithfully, with integrity and compassion

Leadership preparation. To train physician assistants who are collaborative leaders in their field, working with others to provide optimal medical care to patients

The program’s success in achieving these goals will be published following graduation of the first cohort of students.

PA program missionThe mission of the Northwestern College Physician Assistant Program is to equip students with an exceptional education grounded in a biblical theology of human dignity and flourishing.

PA program visionThe NWC PA program will be the nation’s leading provider of Christ-centered physician assistants who will serve their communities with excellence, integrity and compassion.

Career potential

PAs are in high demand—U.S. News and World Report ranks physician assistant 4th among best healthcare jobs. As the population increases and ages, the demand for healthcare services also grows. Physician assistants play a vital role in independently attending to patients and providing many of the same services as doctors.

Employment outlook: 37% increase from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations

Accreditation

Northwestern College has applied for Accreditation–Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Northwestern College anticipates matriculating its first class in May 2020, pending achieving Accreditation–Provisional status at the September 2019 ARC-PA meeting.

Accreditation–Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation–Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Should Northwestern College not receive Accreditation–Provisional, the program will not be permitted to start in May 2020.

NCCPA PANCE first-time pass rateThe NCCPA PANCE first-time pass rate summary report will be available when the first cohort of students graduates in 2022.

Program effectiveness dataThe program effectiveness data will be available when the first cohort of students graduates in 2022.